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The pursuit of footballing excellence continues with Sensible Soccer CD. The Megadrive cart was a No. 1 hit for Sony, amidst an otherwise patchy year. It was also a truly deserving success, against the chilling backdrop of releases like Pelé Soccer (will we ever let Accolade live that down?).

As Take That sagey put it in their song "everything changes but you". At first glance, Sensi CD would appear to be a copy worthy of the Sensible Canon. Do deeper benefits lie beneath ownership of the shiny disc version, or is this just the second round replay?

Sound is one of the main areas of change to the CD version. Using the CD as an audio access source, games are accompanied with the life-like noise of the terraces (Tranmere Rovers, actch). Chants, sounds, and individual voices may be picked out, and climactic moments find a response from the 'crowd'. The only snag lies with the disc access. The slight delay means the crowd response lags behind a goal. Not a big point, but it adds a surreal edge to the game.

A presentational addition is the stadium fly past, performed just before each match. There are several stadia, depending on whether a local, national or international match is being played. Then the players get to walk along the tunnel to the pitch. Sadly, the effects are over in seconds.

Most of the game options and controls are preserved, and differences in play are barely detectable. Sensible is still a fast-moving, high-scoring easy-to-play game, attracting the same admirers and its occasional detractors.

This is Sensible, all right. I wasn't expecting much change from a perusal of the preview game, and the end product proves me right. However, no tears, since Sensible Soccer is a great soccer game and no harm has come to it.

Most of the gripes mentioned in the cart review have not been tackled, notably a lack of experimentation with the graphics. No-one with the original should even consider ths, of course, but those who missed it might.

When I first played this, I scored and nothing happened. Then, after what seemed an eternity, the crowd starting roaring!

There's only a second delay between the action and FX, but it's rather odd when the crowd go "ooh" when nothing is happening! Aside from that, this is just as playable as the cart.

Graphics 63%
No major graphical improvements in this CD update.

Sound 83%
The CD crowd noise is authentic but has a disappointing delay.

Playability 90%
Still the most instantly playable football game.

Lastability 88%
Sensible reveals itself to have surprising long term appeal.

Value For Money 86%
Not a great deal more for a little bit less. A fair deal.

Overall 90%
Still the second greatest football game. Still a firm favourite. Still Sensible.